Trump Pledges to Scrap 15% Tariff on Irish Whiskey

At the close of the Irish Open in Doonbeg, a crowd of golfers, officials and a few curious onlookers gathered for the trophy ceremony. It was there, with the Irish countryside as a backdrop, that President Donald Trump finally gave a straight answer to a question that had been buzzing around the clubhouse for weeks.

“Everybody’s been bugging me,” the president said, chuckling, before announcing, “On behalf of the United States of America, I am going to take the tariffs off Irish whiskey.” The remark drew an audible roar of applause from the audience, many of whom were holding a glass of the amber spirit.

Since the start of the year, Irish whiskey imports have been subject to a 15 % tariff that Trump imposed on goods coming from the European Union. The levy has been a sore spot for Irish distillers and U.S. retailers alike, who say it inflates prices and creates uncertainty for consumers.

Earlier this spring, the Irish Whiskey Association had publicly urged Washington to lift the duty, arguing that doing so would benefit American stores that carry Irish brands and keep the market stable. While the association’s letter was polite, the tone hinted at frustration – “the longer this stays in place, the harder it is for our partners to plan,” one spokesperson noted.

Trump’s declaration in Ireland mirrors a similar gesture he made in May, when he announced a tariff break for Scotch whisky and spirits from Northern Ireland after a visit from King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Back then he posted on social media, “The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!”

Details on when exactly the Irish whiskey tariff will be lifted were not provided on the spot. Trade officials said they would need to draft the appropriate paperwork and coordinate with the European Union, a process that could take weeks or perhaps months.

For now, though, the message was clear: the president intends to roll back the duty that has been a sticking point for both sides of the Atlantic. Irish producers are already toasting the news, while U.S. merchants are hoping the change will translate into lower shelves prices and a smoother supply chain.